Khaki trench contenders: ETA more pics - YouLookFab Forum

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Khaki trench contenders: ETA more pics

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I've got both the MICHAEL Michael Kors and Ellen Tracy khaki trenches from NAS in hand. I have the MK in two sizes. I showed you the XS in a previous thread (here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....khaki-coat ), but the S, shown here, is the size I would keep if I do decide to keep the coat. The XS looks okay, but the S is more comfortable.

I wish I could get a true sense of these colors. They look SO different in the store than in my home, whether in daylight or lamplight. And they look different in my home photos than in my home mirror.

I was leaning toward the Ellen Tracy in the store. And I'm leaning toward the Michael Kors at home. As much as I like the double breasted style on others, I'm not sure I love it on me. I'm kind of partial to the olive tone of the MK khaki. And I like the fact that the MK has a hood and a removable lining. Those are just my tendencies at the moment; I am still open to opinions.

Photos 1-3: Michael Kors trench
Photos 4-6: Ellen Tracy trench
Photos 7-8: the Eddie Bauer trench I'm wanting to upgrade, for reference

What do you all think? Is one of these my khaki coat?

ETA: more pics with clothes I'd actually wear with the coat.

9-10: a typical outfit for me, styled with each coat. Jeans, graphite ankle boots, my Hobo satchel (for which I'm seeking a replacement).

11-23: some outfits that don't go well with the green all-weather coat I currently have. . . Among the bags here are my current stone Hobo satchel (trying to replace), purple Kate Spade hobo, a Kooba hobo I just bought at NAS (and will post soon with a purse K/R, once I have the options gathered up), Brahmin tote, and zebra print satchel. Shoes are black tall boots, tri-tone neutral heeled spectator oxfords, metallic ballet flats, black pumps, and black booties.

Thanks for looking!

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32 replies

Latest reply was from Jeanie

Carla

Veteran

The Ellen Tracy. I like the double breasted style on you and the lighter colour. The back detailing is interesting, too, without being distracting.

MsMaven

Veteran

Judging by looks alone, I prefer the Ellen Tracy on you. The Michael Kors looks a bit uncomfortable, too buttoned-up. Also, I haven't seen many trenches with a hood, but that is probably because I live in dry California. The collar also doesn't look quite right--tight and it doesn't lie flat. You look more relaxed in 4-6. I know double-breasted can be a pain, and yet I don't mind it so much in a trench. Again, it fits well and doesn't give you that stuffed-sausage look that some women get in double-breasted trenches.

Alas, the colors look very similar on my monitor, so I can't say which one I think is better for you. I will say I've had several ET trenches over the years and like them the best of any other brand I've tried.

In the end though, it has to be the one that feels good to you and is most functional for where you live.

rachylou

Veteran

The Ellen Tracy. I find the first kindergarten-ish with the way the hood sits.

MNsara

Veteran

I am totally in favor of double breasted! So, the MK wins my vote! It's not like the ET is bad, it's just not double breasted!!!!

Either one, though, is more stylish than the Eddie Bauer. The Eddie Bauer is fine for gear and other casual venues. (Plus I remember anything I had from EB never wore out -- I had to rehome items instead!!)

ETA: I think I have the names confused, but not the fact that the double breasting is my fave on you

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks, Runcarla, MsMaven, Rachylou, and MNsara!

MsMaven, the collar on the MK isn't tight on my neck. I think it's not laying flat because of the hood, which is unfortunate, because I'd want to wear it buttoned up sometimes.

Yes, MNsara, the EB is great for walking to Pilates over my yoga pants, going for a walk in the park, etc. I'm ready for a real coat for other purposes!

Ellen T (double-breasted) is winning hands-down so far!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I'm a spanner. MK all the way. It's less fussy and more flattering to your body IMO.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks Ironkurtin! I appreciate your willingness to spannify.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am going to span in a different way. I am going to ask you to please (when weather cooperates enough) style them both more the way you'd actually wear them. With bag, whatever trousers or skirt, footwear, etc. I know it is a pain -- but it really, really helps. Until then, I reserve judgement.

But -- at the moment I like the fabric/ sheen/ drape of the MK, and the more classic style of the ET.

Kristin L

Veteran

I like the Ellen Tracy the best.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Well, Suz, that's a good idea, and thanks for your thoughts! Bag is up in the air right now. Should I just use my old bag for now?

Thanks, Kristin!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

It is so hard to judge this color from the online pictures, I would trust your own instinct on this one as well as on the comfort and quality factor.
On the style I do prefer Ellen Tracy trench on you - I prefer the more open neckline and love the back detail. I think double breasted trench looks good on you! Have you tried to wear MK trench with a more open neckline - it may look very different this way.

Anonymous

I like the Ellen T best on you as far S style, but I'm trying to look at it on my phone. The capris are throwing the proportions for me.

Marley

Veteran

The ET by a mile! I think the double-breasted styling is sooooo much more elegant and pretty than the MK single-breasted. To me the MK looks more gearish and/or "youngish" - while the ET is classic and has beautfiul lines that the MK just doesn't capture. Love the back of the ET also! (Can't tell from my monitor about the colors though - sorry!)

unfrumped

Veteran

I like the ET also.
Both are rather short on you and so I agree it would be helpful to see styled with what you'd wear-- pants could take the shortish length but dresses not as much.

Parsley

Veteran

No contest- the Ellen Tracy wins hands down IMO.
It looks stylish, classic, and sophisticated on you, while the MK looks merely serviceable.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks, all! Wow, lots of preference for the Ellen Tracy here. I appreciate your comments on what you're seeing.

I've just added more photos, as Suz suggested, to give a better idea of how the coats would play with my wardrobe.

Sveta, I've also shown the MK collar open. I imagine I'd wear it most often that way, just buttoning to the top when it's cold and windy and I'm not wearing a scarf.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Another gal on Team ET! Both in color and styling. The MK comes across as a little bit old fashioned, somehow. But the ET is gorgeous!

Deborah

Veteran

Going with the flow here:). The ET by a mile. The colour, the style, it's lovely. The issue I have with the MK is I don't think that collar is most flattering and I think the single button up is a little unsophisticated.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Can I vote for neither? I like a lot of aspects of the ET, but not the back detail. And the color of the MK seems way better for your skin tone and your wardrobe.

If I were you I would keep wearing the EB while doing further researches.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I don;t like how MK trench's neckline looks open - it does not lay nicely IMO. I also prefer a lighter color of ET trench as well. All these added styled pictures just confirmed it to me - ET for the win!

unfrumped

Veteran

I think both are too short and don't give the trench look.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks for all the great input. I am seeing what a lot of you like about the ET. It is a lot more polished looking.

Sveta, your point about the collar on the MK is well taken. That is something that became apparent to me in photos, but not in front of the mirror. The ET is a lot more flattering around the face.

Cinnamonfern, I was wondering the same thing, whether I need either of these coats right now. I realized in doing the try-ons that there are really very few clothes I can't wear my green coat with, and I do have a couple of lightweight black raincoats for those occasions. I do like the color of the MK coat on my skin better, but I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better served by something more like the color of my Eddie Bauer coat, or a pewter one, as Beth Ann suggested in my other thread.

Unfrumped, you're so right. But I wasn't really after a traditional trench. I have noticed the trench threads on the forum but haven't been wanting one myself. It was the idea of a light neutral coat that got me looking at these "trenches" on sale at Nordstrom.

I can see that a hood isn't as appealing to a lot of people, but I think I really want a hood, too. And the removable lining. Those are things I use a lot in my green all-weather coat. So I'm leaning toward returning both of these coats.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There is no competition to my eye. The ET is so much more elegant, flattering and chic.

I like the MK on you too! There is no getting away from the practicality of that hood - I get it. And we live in Seattle. But I LOVE the ET on you. I vote carry an umbrella. None of my outerwear has a hood. And I am on the streets all the time.

As for the colour. I can see you rock both.

Anonymous

Another vote for the ET and I never wear hoods either as they flatten my hair.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thank you, Angie and Diane G. I did put my toe in the water with an inexpensive "trench" coat SANS hood this season. The jury is still out on whether I will miss the hood tremendously. (photo 1 here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....s-of-color )
It does occur to me that I use the hood mainly to keep rain off my glasses. I'm not so worried about my hair--it curls more in the rain anyway, which isn't a terrible thing.

Maybe I'll hang on to the Ellen Tracy coat until after the sale, anyway, to mull it over.

Marley

Veteran

Did you get that Kooba bag?????? OMG! I saw it at the NAS and LOVED it - but have no need for it - BUT, I thought about you when I saw it and wondered if you had considered it in your "taupe handbag shopping adventures!"

lyn67

Veteran

I love the double breasted a it more, but both are good buys, I think!
(It's so hard to envision a coat with short pants, so I was really relieved when saw the trenches styled "alive".)

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Another vote for the double breasted style!

Anonymous

My initial thought, before reading every one's comments was the the color of the single breasted one was so much better on you.* Also, it had the hood and liner that you really wanted. If neither of these is going to work, might I suggest looking for a knee-length coat? Since you have several coats that are mid-thigh, it might be nice to have a longer one for skirts and dresses.

*However, a less flattering beige is easily mitigated with a colorful scarf, like you've shown in your pictures. I agree with BA that pewter would be stellar on you!

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